Abstract The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of lead exposure on tissue enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in liver, kidney, brain, and gill of common carp. Lead acetate exposure (7.0 mg L−1, 10 days) caused a significant elevation of AST in the liver as compared to control group (P<0.05). The activity of ALT was increased significantly in the liver, kidney, and brain homogenates following lead acetate exposure. Treatment with lead acetate caused significant increase in ALP values in the kidney and gill as compared to control group. Moreover, LDH activity was increased following lead acetate exposure in all examined tissues, although the increase was only significant in the liver. The results suggested that lead acetate exposure in common carp leads to interactions between this metal and biological systems, which could affect metabolic enzyme activities in some tissues. However, much more extensive biochemical and toxicological research are needed for better understanding of the molecular basis of lead-induced tissue enzyme alterations.

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